Llanelli Naturalists Newsletter - Winter 1990/1991
R.P. Prys-Jones and P.E. Davis.

A Report from the British Trust for Ornithology to the Nature Conservancy Council. March 1990.

The last few years have witnessed a series of valuable reports repared by the BTO (often inconjunction with other ornithologists, th amateur and professional) which summarize and analyse the bird pulations found on Britain's estuarine areas - an important and ital task considering the various threats, whether marinas, barrages or tourist developments, posed to such important localities.

A substantial report (Prys-Jones et al, 1989) has alread appeared for the Burry Inlet, which is of major importance for its wintering wildfowl and wader populations; this will be reviewed at a later date.

The first synthesis of the ornithological interest of the Gwendraeth Estuary (which forms part of the Carmarthen Bay or 'Three Rivers' complex) was that undertaken by Smith (undated, but actually c.1976), based principally on his valuable work as part of the BTO/RSPB 'Birds of Estuaries Enquiry' (BOEE). His pioneer efforts, which show the importance of the Gwendraeth - in a Welsh context at least - culminated in his 'Birds of the Gwendraeth Estuary' (c.1976), a well-presented booklet which summarized all that was then known about the Gwendraeth. Since that period, survey coverage of the Gwendraeth (and the rest of the Carmarthen Bay area) has been sporadic and, with some exceptions, rather disorganised. Indeed, in the report currently under review, it is accurately stated that the area is "less well documented than that of almost any other large estuarine area in Britain...with episodic, unstandardized and incomplete...BOEE coverage". This unfortunate state of affairs has thankfully, been very recently mostly rectified by the efforts of B. Stewart.

The 1990 Report contends that the 'Three Rivers' holds nationally-important populations of oystercatcher and has further significance as a cold weather refuge for certain species eg wigeon (as local birdwatchers who remember the massive influxes of wigeon, lapwings and other species in the severely-cold weather of early 1981 will testify). The Report goes on to state that the sandy expanses of Cefn Sidan support a nationally-important wintering population of sanderling and, on occasion, bar-tailed godwit. Overall, Carmarthen Bay holds a regular population of some 1,500 wildfowl, c.12,500 waders (therefore, exceeding the 10,000 figure required for the status of national importance), and the sanderling population is probably the second largest on any UK estuarine site and, "more comprehensive counting may well reveal it to be of international importance". In addition, further studies may reveal bar-tailed godwits and redshank as being present in nationally-important numbers, and also golden plover flocks may have, on occasion, reached appropriate qualifying levels.

Another species for which Carmarthen Bay is notable is the common scoter, it being, with the Moray Firth, the most important UK site for this maritime duck; and indeed preparations are being made to undertake a major aerial survey of this species during the 1990-91 winter. 

Within the Carmarthen Bay complex, two areas were highlighted to be of special significance - Salmon Point Scar, near St Ishmaels at the junction of the Tywi and Gwendraeth (particularly for oystercatchers) and Cefn Sidan sands (and probably Pendine beach too, for sanderlings).

The BTO Report also summarizes, in detail, the status of the wildfowl and waders that comprise the Carmarhten Bay populations.

Shelduck - "frequents estuarine areas rather than sandy shores... with a major concentration on the lower Taf and Gwendraeth, with numbers increasing markedly after mid-winter."

Wigeon - "principally on the Tywi...severe weather can lead to increased counts in all areas".

Teal - "most frequent in the upper Tâf and eastern bank of the Tywi", max. c.170

Mallard - "again best represented on the Tâf," <500.

Red-breasted Merganser - "small numbers on all estuaries," (<22, total).

Oystercatcher - "major concentration on Salmon Scar (1000+ birds), with these birds roosting on Tywyn Point...and...with good numbers feeding along Cefn Sidan."

Ringed Plover - "small flock of c.30 regular on lower eastern shore of Tywi; irregular elsewhere".

Grey Plover - "most birds around Salmon Scar," (c25 max).

Lapwing - "substantial flocks (max. 1,200) exceeding 500 birds occur on all three estuaries."

Knot - "up to 600 birds on Cefn Sidan - probably visiting Burry Inlet bird Sanderling - "normally confined to Cefn Sidan, where 500+ birds feed."

Dunlin - "largest concentration is again on Cefn Sidan, with others near Salmon Scar" (max. monthly ay. - c.1,600 birds).

Black-tailed godwit - "less than 40 birds regular, in Ferryside area"

Bar-tailed godwit - "over 600 birds occasional on Cefn Sidan - believed to originate in the Burry Inlet".

Curlew - "ubiquitous (ay.c.400), but with major concentrations on the lower west shore of the Taf and at Salmon Scar."

Redshank - "widely distributed (av. c.600), in creeks, saltmarshes and muddy areas."

Turnstone - "small flock (regular max.c.70) at Salmon Scar."

Although the Report laments the fact that it is necessarily mostly based on non-standardized, irregular counts, it is important to realise that all counts or observations of waders and wildfowl (or indeed, other birds) on Carmarthenshire's coast would be welcomed the County Bird Recorder - D.H.V. Roberts, whilst the Ornithological Recorder for the Llanelli Naturalists Society - Mr Rob Hunt is always apreciative of interesting or noteworthy records. Anyone wishing embark on regular counts for the BTO 'Birds of Estuaries Enquiry' should contact the County Bird Recorder.

References

Prys-Jones, R.P.; Howells, R.J. & Kirby, J.S. (1989). The abundance and distribution of wildfowl and waders on the Burry Inlet. NCC Chief Scientists Directorate, commissioned research report No926.

Prys-Jones, R.P. & Davies, P.E. (1990). The abundance and distribution of wildfowl and waders on Carmarthen Bay (Taf, Tywi, Gwendraeth). NCC Chief Scientists Directorate, commissioned research report no1053 (BTO Research Report No55)

Smith, E.J. (undated, c.1976). Birds of the Gwendraeth Estuary. Published by Llanelli Naturalists Soc. & D. Thomas, Llanelli.